Counter-terrorism police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday said three terrorists were killed in an intelligence-led operation in Dera Ismail Khan, while authorities also reported the destruction of a key bridge in neighbouring North Waziristan in a separate overnight attack.
According to the Counter Terrorism Department, the operation was carried out early in the day after police received what they described as credible intelligence about the presence of wanted terrorists. CTD teams cordoned off the area but came under fire when they attempted to make arrests, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
Three men were killed in the operation and were later identified as Naimatullah, Abdul Rauf, described by police as an Afghan national, and Mustafa. Officials said the suspects were directly involved in attacks on police and other security forces.
Police said weapons recovered from the site included three Kalashnikov rifles, nine magazines, two hand grenades and a quantity of ammunition. Search operations were expanded amid fears that more terrorists or facilitators could be hiding in the area.
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The Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, Zulfiqar Hameed, along with senior CTD officials, praised the officers involved in the operation. In a statement, the police chief said intelligence-based operations would be further intensified, warning that attacks on law enforcement would face what he called a firm response.
In a separate incident, officials said a key connecting bridge over the Kurram River in Tehsil Shewa, North Waziristan, was destroyed after unknown attackers planted explosives beneath it late at night. The blast completely demolished the bridge, cutting off land access between Miranshah and nearby areas.
Local residents condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act that had disrupted movement and livelihoods for many people in the region. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Meanwhile, police said one person was killed in a shooting at Inayat Kalay market in Bajaur district. According to officials, unidentified gunmen opened fire in the Shah Wali Market area and fled the scene.
The victim was identified as Khalilur Rehman. Police cordoned off the area after the shooting and launched a search operation to trace the attackers, adding that an investigation was underway.
